Facsimile transmission apparatus



. 5, 1939. H. CARLSON FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION APPARATUS Filed April 8, 1958 9 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR J HAROLD CAR LSON ATTORNEY 5, 1939. H. CARLSON 2,182,115

FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION APPARATUS Filed April 8, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 JW ATTORNEY ma ma 5, 1939 H. CARLSQN FACSIMILE TRANSMISSIUN APPARATUS Filed April 8, 1958 9 Sheets-$heet 5 7 7 b w a A a 4N) f 6 7 INVENTOR HAROLD CARLSON ATTORNEY Dec, 5,, 1939 H. GAFLQN 2 11 821115 FACS IMILE TRANSMI S S 1 ON APPARATUS Filed April s, 1938 9 sheets sheet 4 214 FIG-4 HAROLD CARLSON ATTORNEY 1939- H. CARLSON 2,182,115

FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION APPARATUS Filed April 8, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR HAROLD CARLSON Wh m ATTORNEY Dec. 5, 1939. H. CARLSON 2,182,115

FACSIMILE TRANSMISS ION APPARATUS Filed April 8, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR HAROLD CARLSON z w m' ATTOR Patented Dec. 5, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFi CE Harold Carlson, Tuckahoe, N. Y., assignor to The Associated Press, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 8, 1938, Serial No. 200,895

17 Claims.

This invention relates to a facsimile transmission apparatus and more particularly to a recorder for a facsimile telegraph system.

An object of the invention is the provision of a simplified apparatus of high eihciency at a low cost.

Other objects will appear in the accompanying description given with the aid of the drawings, of which Figure l is a plan View of the invention,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the apparatus beneath the base, given with the base inverted,

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken through 3-3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken substantially along the lines 44 of Figure 1,

Figures 5 and 6 are sections showing details of the mechanism associated with the lead screw and lead nut,

Figures '7 and 8 show details of the scanning cylinder together with its cover,

Figure 9 is a section taken through 99 of Figure 1,

Figures 10 and 11 give details of the light tight slot in the base through which the scanning light is projected,

Figure 12 is a plan view of a device for loading a scanning cylinder enclosed in a light proof shell or hollow cylinder with a sheet of sensitized material,

Figures 13 and 14 illustrate the method of securing a sensitized'sheet to the scanning cylinder,

Figure 15 shows a tool for operating the film holding strip on the scanning cylinder,

Figure 16 is a section taken through Ifi-l6 of Figure 12,

Figure 17 is a section taken through I'II'I of Figure 12,

Figure 18 is a detailed view of the pressure roller mounting in the loading device,

Figure 19 is a section showing the cylinder and guideway therefor in the loading device.

Referring nowv to Figure 1 of the drawings which shows a motor I secured to the upper surface of a hollow base 2, the motor shaft being connected by means of a positive clutch l, controlled by magnets 5 to a shaft 6 arranged to rotate in suitable bearings 'I.

t one end of the shaft, Figures 1, '7, and 9, is secured a disc 8 provided with a pin 9 adapted to enter a slot It in a second disc 1! secured to shaft I2 formed integrally with flanged end piece I3 of a hollow scanning cylinder Hi, the cylinder being provided at its opposite end with a second end piece similar to I3 which is integral with shaft I5, the latter as well as disc l I being spotted or countersunk in order that the cylinder may be rotatably supported between centers it of tailstock I7 and I8 of shaft 6. 5

Tailstock I'i consists of bracket secured to the base provided with an opening in which spindle I9 is free to reciprocate. A compression spring 29 presses the spindle toward shaft I5, while pin 2| which projects through an L-shaped opening 10 22 in the bracket is used to manually retract the spindle when a drum is being removed or inserted.

Cylinder I4 is provided with a light proof casing of novel design which permits the use of 15 highly sensitive film in the device under ordinary ofiice lighting conditions, a dark room being necessary only for loading and unloading the detachable cylinder assembly which will be described further on. Furthermore the invention provides for an automatically operating shutter for the cylinder casing, which makes it impossible to accidentally expose the sensitized material when a cylinder is being removed or inserted.

Referring particularly to Figure 7 which is a 25 plan view of the cylinder casing partly in section:

End pieces it of the cylinder are provided with flanges held against the ends of a metal tube SI by threaded rod 32.

A deep annular recess 33 is cut into each end- 30 piece, and into this recess extends ring 3% formed integrally with the ends 35 of cylinder casing 36.

In each end of the casing is an opening 31 through which shafts i2 and i5 project which makes it possible to rotatably support the cylin- 35 der While the casing remains stationary. The arrangement just described also provides a light trap at each end of the cylinder casing.

At the bottom of the casing is a longitudinal slot 38 extending the length of cylinder 14. Cas- 40 ing 36 has a base 39 provided with a longitudinal slot 49 coinciding with slot 38. Base 39 fits over a supporting member 41 provided with a slot ii, (Figures 8 and 10) overlying an opening E3 in base 2.

Guides, composed of angle strips 14 are secured to three sides of support 4 I, the fourth side being open to permit base 39 to slide under the turned over part 45 of the guide strips.

Referring to Figures '7, 8, and 16, casing base 39 is shown composed of three strips of metal 58,

51 and 52 secured to each other and also to casing 36. The metal strip 5!, however, is cut away for some distance beyond slot 4d on three sides, and the fourth side which will overlie the part of 55 support member 4| to the left of the drawings, in Figure 8 is completely cut away for a distance somewhat greater than the length of slot at which provides a recess between strips 5% and 52 into which slides a shutter 53 which when closed renders light proof the part of the casing just referred to.

Shutter 53 is provided with a turned up edge 54 engaged by spring 55 secured by screw 56 to base 39, the spring tending to keep the shutter in the closed position as shown in Figure 8. The shutter also has a series of cars til extending downwardly through slots 58 in base strip 52, so located as to engage one edge of support member ll and cause the shutter to withdraw (Figure 4:), against the pressure of spring 55 and open slot at when a cylinder is properly positioned in the machine. Likewise, after a scanning operation has been completed, spring 55 closes the shutter as the cylinder assembly is removed from the guides. With this arrangement it is impossible to accidentally cause an undesired operation of the shutter. The upper surface of support M is covered with felt 59 to ensure a light proof connection between the cylinder cover and base 2.

The casing is retained in position by means of notches Eli, Figure 7, in each end of base 39 which are engaged by detent springs 6!, Figure 10, secured to angle pieces i l.

Worm 62 on shaft 6, Figure 1, drives worm wheel 63 secured to vertical shaft 64, one end of which turns in bearings 65 in support 7, and the opposite end in bearing 66 in bracket 8i secured to the underside of base 2, Figure 3.

Gear 68 on shaft t l drives gear 89 secured to a threaded shaft or lead screw it, Figure 2, supported by suitable bearings in brackets Bi and H, bracket 6? being secured by screws l2 near one end of a longitudinal rib l3 depending from the underside of base 2, while bracket ii is secured at the opposite end of rib l3 by screws M and 75. The bearings for the lead screw are of a suitable anti-friction type, and means are provided at each end of the shaft for adjusting the shaft longitudinally in the bearings, consisting of a strap Hi secured by screws ill to the respective bearing brackets, the strap supporting an adjusting screw l8 which engages a ball bearing in the end of the lead screw. This method of shaft adjustment is followed in other parts of the machine.

By means of the mechanism described above, the lead screw is driven in fixed relation to the rotation of the scanning cylinder. The function of the lead screw is to provide a uniform longitudinal feed of a casting which carries a lamp and an optical system.

Referring to Figures 2 to 6: Casting 8B which will be referred to as a carriage, is provided at its upper part with arms 8| and 82, the underside of the latter having a bevelled recess 83, Figure 4, which rides on a bevelled rib 84 of a runner 85 secured by screws 86 to rib 13 so that the runner parallels longitudinal slot 43 in base 2.

The carriage is supported on the opposite side of slot 43 by a runner Bl secured by screws 88 to rib 89 depending from the underside of base 2. The upper surface of runner 87 is flat and is contacted by a rib fill on the underside of arm iii.

A vertical cylindrical opening 92 extends through casting St, in the upper part of which is inserted a suitable optical system, and immediately below is a lamp 94 which in the present embodiment closely fits opening 92 and is retained in place by friction.

Both the optical system and the lamp are known devices, the glass bulb of the latter contains a combination of the rare atmospheric gases responsive over a frequency range greater than the band necessary for picture transmission, and has linear illumination-current characteristics. The glow is concentrated within a small definite boundary, at the top of the lamp. and. the optical system is positioned so as to most eifectively project the light rays onto the sensitized sheet on the scanning drum. The lamp is known commercially as a crater lamp and is made by the Westinghouse Company.

The average time for transmitting a press picture is about eight minutes, during which time the carriage is slowly fed by the lead screw away from its normal or starting position. On completion of a picture, in order to save line time, it is desirable that the carriage be quickly returned to its initial position without stopping the motor, or without putting any sudden excessive load on the apparatus which might cause such stoppage. The present invention provides a novel method of engaging and disengaging a lead nut secured to the carriage from the lead screw which permits the carriage to be positioned at will.

Rigidly secured to the carriage casting 80 is a horizontal bracket "it, to which is fastened by screws Hit a member 32 having depending arms it? holding pivot act on which is rotatably supported bar m5 which has in its mid portion an opening I95, and pivoted therein on pivot Iii! which is disposed parallel to the lead screw is a vertical rod Hi8, having a bracket ill secured at its upper end by nut Hi9 and threaded section l H]. Screws H2 fasten a block M3 to bracket III. This block has a concave upper surface and has a thread cut therein to fit that of the lead screw. The block will be referred to hereinafter as the lead nut. Spring lit on rod H18 tends to hold the lead nut in engagement with the lead screw.

The support just described permits the lead nut to have some play in all directions in respect to the lead screw, which is advantageous in that it makes it possible to engage easily and disengage the lead screw and nut by mechanism which will be described below.

During operation, on engagement of the lead screw and lead nut the latter is caused by the rotation of the lead screw to assume a definite fixed position until the parts are manually disengaged. This is accomplished as follows: In Figure 4 the lead screw is shown as rotating in a counterclockwise direction which will tend to press the lead nut towards the right of the drawings where it engages adjusting screw H5 in the rigid upright member Hi2.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5: A pair of light fiat springs H6 secured by screws ill to bracket WE engage the side of the lead nut and tend to hold it against screw i l 5. The direction of travel of the carriage when driven is toward the right of Figure 5. The lead screw exerts pressure on the lead nut tending to move it to the right, but the movement of the lead nut in respect to the carriage is definitely limited in this direction by stop screw ll 8, Figures 5 and 6, in bracket I00. When disengaged from the lead screw, however, the lead nut is free to move a limited distance away from stop screw I I8.

Lever I20 secured to cam l2l pivoted to a stud I22 in the carriage is used for the purpose of controlling the engagement of the lead screw and lead nut. Figure 4 shows these parts in engagement. When lever I20 is turned, cam I2I presses downwardly on rod I23 which engages stud I24 in support I05 retracting rod I08, compressing spring I I4, and disengaging the lead nut from the lead screw. When the lever is reversed these parts re-engage. A longitudinal slot I25 is provided in base 2 through which the upright part of lever I29 projects.

Referring to Figures 4 and 11: A metal strip I25 of J-shaped cross section is secured underneath base 2 on each side of slot 43. These strips extend beyond the ends of the slot and serve as guides for a light tight shutter which consists of a thin strip of bronze I21 having an opening I28 through which a tube I29 carrying the adjustable objective of optical system 93 extends. The length of shutter I21 is such that slot 43 is always covered, irrespective of the position of the carriage. Beyond the ends of guides I26, curved strips of flat metal, I39 and I3! are secured. The thin springy shutter metal I21 is set or strained so as to curl up in either I39 or I31, winding up in one and unwinding in the other as the carriage moves.

As previously stated, clutch 4 is controlled by clutch magnet 5. Referring to Figures 2 and 3: The clutch magnet assembly is mounted on a base I40 which is secured to the underside of base 2 by screws I4I extending through elongated holes which permit adjustment. The various parts of the assembly extend upward through an irregularly shaped opening I42 in base 2.

Magnet armature I43 is supported on pivot I44. Armature spring I45 is fastened between stud $8 in the armature and adjusting screw I41. The upper part of the armature is provided with a step, part of which may be engaged by a spring pressed holding pawl I49 pivoted at I59. When magnet 5 is momentarily energized, the step I48 catches under the nose of the pawl which holds the armature against the poles of the magnets. This mechanical locking arrangement may be released by pressing button I5I which engages one arm of the pawl elevating the nose thereof until it becomes disengaged from the armature step I48.

Clutch 4 consists of a toothed driving wheel I60, (Figures 1 and 3), secured to shaft 3 of the motor, and a driven part consisting of a disc IBI secured to shaft 5. Connection between the driving and driven parts is effected by pawl I63 pivoted to disc I6! by screw H54. Compression spring I55, one end of which is supported by an I-shaped piece I56 secured to disc IBI, tends to press pawl teeth I61 into engagement with the teeth of the driving wheel I60.

When the magnet is deenergized and the lower part of the armature resting against stop screw I88, step I48 on the upper part of the armature is in the path of the tail I69 of pawl I63, and when these parts engage, the pawl teeth disengage from those of wheel I63, thus disconnecting the motor from the rest of the apparatus. In order to prevent any back lash or rebounding of the parts associated with disc IEI of the clutch on disengagement thereof, a latch is provided consisting of a flat strip of metal I10 secured by screws IT! to disc IISI, which catches under the nose I12 of a spring reed I13 secured to armature I43. When the magnet is energized parts I19 and I12 disengage along with the tail of pawl I53 and the step on armature, permitting the pawl teeth to engage wheel I60. A weight I15 is adjustably secured to one side of disc IBI to compensate for the weight of the pawl and other small parts adjacent thereto.

The invention contemplates the employment of a number of spare scanning cylinders I4 in their casings 36 with each receiving machine in order that a spare cylinder with unexposed film will be available to insert into the receiver after the completion of each picture. A novel device is provided for loading the cylinders with fresh film which makes it possible to unload the exposed film and quickly insert the new with a minimum amount of handling of the sensitized material.

Referring to Figures 12 to 19: The loading device consists of a base I88 provided with a head stock MI and a tailstock I82, the latter being similar to tailstock I1 of the receiver. Two strips I83 are disposed on the base to form a support and guideway for the base 39 of the cylinder casings. Strips I33 have lengthwise recesses I84 made in the tops thereof to form guides for the ends of base 39 which support the base at a height sufiicient for the depending shutter actuating pieces 51 to clear base I88 so as not to affect the shutter when the cylinder casing is inserted. The head and tail stocks are of the proper height to engage the centers on shaft I5 and disc H which support cylinder I4.

The head stock consists of a bracket I85 through which extends shaft I88, at one end of which-is a knob I31 and near the opposite end, adjacent to the bracket, is secured a sleeve I88 integral with disc I89 having a square notch I35 cut in its periphery. This notch cooperates with tooth IEII on the upper edge of lever I92 pivoted on screw I 93 supported by bracket I94 which is part of head stock bracket I35. Spring I95 presses lever I92 upward against disc I89.

Beyond disc I89 is secured an arm I36 carrying a pin I91 projecting therefrom parallel with shaft I86. Clamping screw I98 permits arm I96 to be locked to shaft I86 in the desired angular position. Pin I91 is adapted to fit into slot III of disc II to form a connection between knob I 81 and cylinder I4, permitting the cylinder to be rotated by the knob.

Figure 17 shows the cylinder and knob I51 locked against rotation by tooth. 554 on lever I82 which is shown positioned in notch I96 in disc I83. The parts. may be freed for rotation by pressing downward on lever I32 which disengages the tooth and notch and if the disc is rotated a trifle and thereafter the lever is released, one complete turn of the cylinder may be made before the lever locks the cylinder against rotation. This mechanism is used for the purpose of positioning automatically a film retaining clip on the cylinder in respect to a loading platform which will be described in detail below.

Located adjacent to the ends of casing 36 are a pair of brackets HQ secured to base I813 by screws 2%. Between the brackets and secured by screws 2M to steps formed thereon is a shelf or loading platform 252. The upper part or" casing 35 has a longitudinal opening extending the length of cylinder It which lines up with platform 282. The opening is provided with a curved cover 284 lined with felt 255 and hinged to the casing by hinge 2535. The cover overlaps opening 253 and the edge 251 is retained when the cover is closed by lock M38. The lock is formed of a metal strip attached to casing 36 by shoulder screw 239 which extends through an elongated hole in the piece 238 permitting a limited sliding movement of the strip.

The sensitized sheet 2 I3 is held in place on the cylinder by retaining strip 2 I 5 which extends the length of the cylinder. The retaining strip is held in place by means of springs 2l5 fastened between shaft 32 and studs 2H5 secured to strip 2| 4. A loading tool Ell having bifurcated arms 2| 8 which carry pins 2l9 which fit openings in the retaining strip is used to tilt the strip sideways in either direction for the purpose of removing or inserting film.

Extension brackets 220 are formed integrally with brackets l99 but are slightly ofiset therefrom so as to extend upward along the edges of the loading table 262 to form a guide for the edges of the film and to support a pressure roller 22L Roller 22! is rotatably supported by screws 222 which extend through lugs 223 depending from crossbar 22 i, the ends of which are yieldingly held by Vertical rods 225 which pass through hollow adjusting screws 225 which are threaded into brackets 221i. Roller 225 is located so that it engages the surface of cylinder parallel with shaft 32 and arm H6 is adjusted so that the retaining strip 2M just clears roller iii during a film changing operation. Springs press roller 22! against the cylinder surface, and this pressure may be Varied by adjusting screws Since the operation of the various parts of the device has been described above, it is not thought necessary to repeat the same in a detailed description of the operation per so, as this will be obvious to those familiar with the art.

What is claimed is:

1. In a facsimile transmission apparatus, a base, a removable motor driven scanning cylinder on said base, a light proof casing for said cylinder, a shutter in said casing, and means for opening automatically said shutter when said cylinder is placed in position to be scanned.

2. In a facsimile transmission apparatus, a base, a removable motor driven scanning cylinder on said base, a light proof casing for said cylinder, a shutter in said casing, means for opening automatically said shutter when said cylinder is placed in position to be scanned, and means for closing said shutter automatically when said cylinder is removed from scanning position.

3. In a facsimile receiving apparatus, a base, a motor on said base, a removable scanning cylinder on said base adapted to be turned by said motor, a sheet of sensitized material on said cylinder, a scanning device comprising a source of light varying in intensity according to the light values of the elemental areas of the picture being transmitted, a light proof casing for said cylinder, a shutter in said casing, and means for automatically opening said shutter to expose said sheet to light from said source when said cylinder is placed in operating position.

4. In a facsimile receiving apparatus, a base, a motor on said base, a removable scanning cylinder on said base adapted to be turned by said motor, a sheet of sensitized material on said cylinder, a scanning device including a source of light movable longitudinally in respect to said cylinder; a light proof casing for said cylinder, a shutter normally closed in said casing, means for automatically opening said shutter when said cylinder is in operating position to expose said sheet to light from said source, and means for automatically closing said shutter when said cylinder is removed from operating position.

5. In a facsimile transmission system, a carriage, a lead screw, a lead nut secured to said carriage by a support adapted to yield in all directions, and stop means for said nut on said carriage effective only in the direction of the thrust imparted to said nut by said screw.

6. In a facsimile transmission system, a carriage, a lead screw, a lead nut engaging part only of the diameter of said lead screw, yielding means for securing said lead nut to said carriage, and adjustable stop means on said carriage to limit the movement which said lead screw tends to impart to said nut.

7. In a facsimile transmission system, a scanning cylinder, a base therefor, a carriage disposed beneath said base, a lead screw adapted to move said carriage longitudinally in respect to said cylinder, a lead nut secured by a yielding support to said carriage, a lever extending upwardly from said carriage through said base whereby the engagement of the lead nut and lead screw may be controlled.

8. In a facsimile transmission system, a scanning cylinder, a base therefor, a carriage disposed beneath said base, a lead screw adapted to move said carriage longitudinally in respect to said cylinder, a lead nut secured by a yielding support to said carriage, a lever projecting upwardly through a slot in said base, a circular cam secured to said lever beneath said base, a rod adapted. to be reciprocated by said cam when said lever is turned, said rod being adapted when reciprocated to control the engagement of the lead nut and lead screw.

9. In a picture transmission system, a carriage, a pair of oppositely disposed supporting arms on said carriage, and a lamp housing for a scanning lamp depending below said arms.

10. In a picture transmission system, a carriage, a pair of oppositely disposed supporting arms on said carriage, a lamp housing for a scanning lamp depending below said arms, and an optical system having an objective located above said arms.

11. In a picture transmission system, a base, a scanning cylinder on said base, a pair of ribs depending from the under side of said base, a runner secured to each of said ribs, a carriage having a pair of arms adapted to slide on said runners, a lamp housing depending below said arms, and an optical system having an objective supported by said carriage above said arms.

12. In a picture transmission system, a base, a scanning cylinder on said base, a driving motor, a direct drive connection between said cylinder and said motor, a scanning device having a worm drive disposed beneath said base, and shaft and gear means connecting said worm with the shaft of said motor.

13. In a picture transmission system, a base, a scanning cylinder rotatably supported on said base, a longitudinally movable carriage disposed beneath said base, an optical system carried by said carriage, a longitudinal slot in said base underneath said cylinder through which said optical system may scan said cylinder, a light proof curtain covering said slot, and an opening in said curtain into which the objective of said optical system extends.

14. In a picture transmission system, a base, a scanning cylinder rotatably supported on said base, a longitudinally movable carriage disposed beneath said base, an optical system carried by said carriage, a longitudinal slot in said base underneath said cylinder through which said optical system may scan said cylinder, a guideway disposed beneath said base on opposite sides of said slot, a slideable metallic curtain in said guideway, and an opening in said curtain into which the objective of said optical system extends.

15. In a facsimile transmission device, a motor and a scanning apparatus, a clutch connecting said motor with said scanning apparatus, a pawl carried by the driven member of said clutch and a ratchet adapted to cooperate with said pawl carried by the driving member of said clutch; a magnet and an armature therefor for controlling the operation of said clutch, a spring tending to hold the armature away from said magnet in position to engage said pawl and to thereby cause said clutch to disengage, and a latch effective after a momentary energization of said magnet for retaining said armature out of the path of said pawl.

16. In a facsimile transmission device, a motor and a scanning apparatus, a clutch connecting said motor with said scanning apparatus, a pawl carried by the driven member of said clutch, and a ratchet adapted to cooperate with said pawl carried by the driving member of said clutch; a magnet and an armature therefor for controlling the operation of said clutch, a spring tending to hold the armature away from said magnet in position to engage said pawl and to thereby cause said clutch to disengage, a latch effective after a momentary energization of said magnet to hold the armature out of the path of said pawl, and a push button for disengaging said latch from said armature.

1'7. In a facsimile transmission device, a motor and a scanning apparatus, a clutch connecting said motor with said scanning apparatus, a pawl carried by the driven member of said clutch, and a ratchet adapted to cooperate with said pawl carried by the driving member of said clutch; a magnet and an armature therefor for controlling the operation of said clutch, a spring tending to hold the armature away from said magnet in position to engage said pawl and to thereby cause said clutch to disengage, a latch effective after a momentary energizaiton of said magnet to hold the armature out of the path of said pawl, and a yielding member carried by said armature adapted to engage a part of said driven member when the clutch is disengaged to prevent rebound of the driven member.

HAROLD CARLSON. 

